Portugal, the oldest country in Europe, the country of wine, fashionable cities and amazing surfing. It seems that only in recent years, people have started to realise how incredible this country is. Over the 2010s, more and more tourists flocked to this western European nation.
Here we will give you 16 reasons why we think Portugal is the best country to live in Europe and maybe even the best country in the world.
Weather
Portugal has a fantastic climate, with over 200 days of sunshine a year, and an average temperature of around 20 degrees. Perched on the western edge of Europe, Lisbon is the sunniest capital city on the continent, with an average of around 2 800 hours of sunshine per year, piping Athens. which has around 2770 hours of sunshine per year.
Safety
It is a very safe country. When you visit Portugal there is one thing you will notice almost immediately compared to the most popular destinations across Europe, it feels very safe. That’s because the Portuguese take safety very seriously. In fact, Portugal is the third most peaceful country in the world on the global peace index. As neighbours, Italy ranks 38th, France 61st and Spain 30th. Portugal is a country that is, of course, rooted in a common respect for each other.
Charming Cities
These are the Best Places to Live in Portugal in 2023
It’s charming towns and cities from Porto to Lisbon, to Coimbra, to Sintra, Portugal is full of cobbled towns and cities that are charming and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you’re heading to the national parks or wine country in the north, you’ll also have plenty of pretty towns to visit along the way, or you could even visit the golden beaches of the Algarve in the south. There is so much to discover in this stunning country.
A lot of Island
Exploring Funchal, Portugal: A Guide to the Heart of Madeira Island
Madeira has long been a special attraction for the British. This place is justifiably known as the floating Garden or the pearl of the Atlantic. Madeira has a variety of rare attractions alongside its luxurious blue skies and sea, its imposing valleys and mountains where plant life is abundantly diverse.
Low cost of living
These are the Cheapest Cities to Live in Portugal
The cost of living in Portugal is amongst the lowest in Western Europe, if you are coming from anywhere with a currency weaker than the euro this can be incredibly useful for your trip, it means you can do more with less including meals, excursions, even car rentals cost a fraction of what they would cost elsewhere. Everything from grocery bills to a monthly rent will cost you significantly less. Flights to Portugal are also relatively cheap to most of Europe and even North America.
Beaches
12 Best Beaches in Southern Portugal: Top Picks for Sun, Sea and Sand
Portugal’s beaches are the best in the world. Considering that the coastline is almost 500 miles long, you’re bound to find a beautiful place to park and soak up the sun. The country became so well known for its ideal surfing conditions after the world’s largest wave was caught by a Hawaiian surfer at 90 feet. There are a number of surfing accommodations that also have instructors on site. Starting at just €15-30 per night for the bed, it’s a great option if you’re looking to learn and still get that fantastic community vibe from your hostel.
Beautiful countryside
If you step off course and start going deep into the small villages of Portugal, you will notice that the countryside is one of the most stunning beauties of this country. If you happen to stop to eat or explore the villages, you will notice that the people are extremely welcoming and happy to see new faces.
Diversified Nightlife
What are the best beaches between Lisbon and Sagres?
From the streets of Lisbon and Porto to the pumping seaside resort of the Algarve, Portugal’s love of a night on the tiles is no secret. Less well known, however, is the country’s growing affection for afro house, which is being imported from Africa, as if going out of fashion, the genre has found fertile ground in the clubs of Lisbon, but is about to spread throughout the country.
Beautiful sunsets
Who doesn’t love a sunset? Well, they’re even better when they’re over the Atlantic coast. Thanks to its west-facing beaches, you’ll see an amazing sunset practically every day of the year, and because Portugal is full of beautiful spots you’ll never get bored of watching the sun set over the ocean.
Coffee and Wine
This association may not be immediate, but Portugal colonised countries like Brazil, Angola and East Timor, producers of some of the best coffee in the world, so things are starting to make sense now.
Good size of the country
It is small, but not too small. Portugal as a whole is a fairly small country, both by land size and population. It is only the 19th largest country on the continent and the 17th most populous, with just over 10 million inhabitants. It is small enough to travel around the country easily, but not to the point of being too small and everything can be done in a single day or weekend.
Good English
Portuguese as a whole speaks fantastic English and Portuguese itself is actually the ninth most spoken language, with over 230 million speakers thanks to Brazil. Even if you don’t speak English, many people from all over the world may have English as a second language, so having basic conversations shouldn’t be a problem in Portugal.
Azores Islands
Often described as the Hawaii of Portugal, the Azores will make you glad to be in Portugal. For one, the Azores have not been invaded by expats, so you will see some form of authentically Portuguese life. With nine different islands to visit, they are all equally stunning in their own way. Located in the North Atlantic, along 600 kilometres of ocean. These islands not only feature world-class beaches, but also types of activities including geotourism, kayaking, golf, diving, surfing, paragliding and even whale watching. It’s impossible to run out of things to do on your trip to the Azores.
Non-Tourist Oversaturated
It is not as touristy or oversaturated as other European countries. This is not to say that Portugal is completely tourism free, however, compared to other countries like Spain, it is well and truly less saturated. However, over time, we think this will demolish, so try to visit Portugal as soon as possible.
The Best Hostels in Europe
Top rated 15 affordable hostels in Lisbons that all traveler should go
Incredible hostels that are more like hotels. Hostile dorms located in the heart of Lisbon range from €20 to €30 per night, depending on what you’re looking for. Perhaps the best part is that they often include breakfast, are comfortable and have huge clean spaces. It’s a true testament to the fantastic hospitality of the people of this country.
Good Road trips
Driving in Portugal, provided you are not from the UK or Australia, will be a piece of cake. The roads are well maintained and very well signposted. The locals are respectful and everyone seems to be able to share the road at an easy pace. Renting a car doesn’t cost much either, or is the perfect recipe for a great road trip. You can make your way along the coast of Portugal from Lisbon to Faro in about 10 days, and see a whole world of scenery in between.
